and well trained . during this period , defences in australia mainly rev ##olved around static defence by combined infantry and artillery , based on garrison ##ed coastal forts . however , by the 1890s , improved railway communications between the mainland eastern colonies led major general james edwards — who had recently completed a survey of colonial military forces — to the belief that the colonies could be defended by the rapid mob ##ilis ##ation of brigades of infantry . as a consequence he called for a rest ##ru ##cture of defences , and defensive agreements to be made between the colonies . edwards argued for the colonial forces to be fed ##erated and for professional units — obliged to serve anywhere in the south pacific —
and well trained. during this period, defences in australia mainly revolved around static defence by combined infantry and artillery, based on garrisoned coastal forts. however, by the 1890s, improved railway communications between the mainland eastern colonies led major general james edwards — who had recently completed a survey of colonial military forces — to the belief that the colonies could be defended by the rapid mobilisation of brigades of infantry. as a consequence he called for a restructure of defences, and defensive agreements to be made between the colonies. edwards argued for the colonial forces to be federated and for professional units — obliged to serve anywhere in the south pacific —